The Indian road sector has undergone phenomenal growth over the last decade and is growing exponentially now due to the new government's focus on the sector. The pace of road construction is even higher in rural areas, sub-Himalayan regions, international border areas and north-eastern (NE) states, as part of providing better connectivity and access for defence requirements.

The evening of April 21, 2017, was a proud occasion for Equipment India as the industry stakeholders gathered in large numbers at New Delhi's heritage Claridges Hotel, to celebrate the 4th Annual Equipment India Awards and be part of the high-level discussion at the CEO Forum.

Lok Sabha has passed the GST Bill, clearing the deck for its smooth rollout from this July. Termed as independent India’s biggest reform initiative, the GST Bill is expected to bring together the entire nation on a single platform of taxation.

In spite of the government's policy shift towards building four- and six-lane National Highways as concrete roads, plans to construct more rural roads and coastal roads will drive the demand for asphalt plants in the future. EQUIPMENT INDIA explores the road ahead for asphalt plants.

The construction equipment segment in India has something to cheer about from the Budget measures such as more fund allocation to rural roads and highways construction, and announcement of infrastructure status to affordable housing.

The Union Budget 2017 with an agenda to transform, energise and sanitise India is reasonably balanced for an inclusive growth of the Indian economy. A couple of initiatives announced in the budget presented on February 1 bring some cheer to the sector.